Pipeline assembly comprising an anchoring device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a pipeline assembly and a method of installing a pipeline assembly, wherein the pipeline extends at least in part on a seabed and curves upwardly from the seabed along a curved section thereof, the pipeline extending toward a delivery end provided at the water surface, wherein a connecting device connects the pipeline at a coupling point to an anchoring device at the seabed for preventing the coupling point from moving upward. The invention further relates to a pipeline device comprising at least two pipeline assemblies which are interconnected at a substantial distance from the seabed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/089,437, filed May 5, 2008, which claims the benefit of the NationalStage of International Application No. PCT/NL2006/000507, filed Oct. 9,2006, which in a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/245,477, filed Oct. 7, 2005, the contents of which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pipeline assembly. The presentinvention further relates to a method for installing the pipelineassembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Pipelines are widely applied in the off-shore industry, for instance forconveying a fluid or a mixture of fluids from an oil well on a seabed toa target device located at a water surface. This target device may be avessel or a platform, for instance a floating production and storageplatform, generally known as an FPSO.

Often, a pipeline is laid which rests on a seabed over a certaindistance and rises from the seabed at a certain point, which isgenerally known as the touch-down point. The pipeline curves upward fromthe touch-down point and extends to the target device. The section ofthe pipeline extending upwards from the seabed is generally indicated inthe field of the art as a riser. The riser is often indicated as a SteelCatenary Riser (SCR), because it is generally made of steel and extendssubstantially along a trajectory of a catenary.

An advantage of the substantially catenary pipeline (or riser) is thatcomplex structures in the pipeline are obviated. The pipeline may beconnected to an oil well on the seabed at one end of the pipeline and beconnected to the buoyancy device at a second, opposite (free) end of thepipeline, without any in-line structures in between, such as forinstance a template.

In the field of the art, fatigue plays an important role in the designconsiderations of a riser. Every movement of the riser causes anincreased fatigue of the pipeline and thus, a loss in lifetime.Improvements in the field of the art are often directed at decreasingthe fatigue of the riser, thereby extending the lifetime.

A target device located at the water level is generally subject toforces from wind, waves and water currents, which cause movements androtations of the target device. The movements may be both horizontal andvertical. Also, the target device may have a varying draft due todifferent loading conditions. If a delivery end of the riser isconnected with the target device, the delivery end moves together withthe target device, and the movements and rotations of the target devicecause fatigue in the riser.

In order to reduce the movements of the delivery end, the delivery endof the pipeline may be connected to a separate buoyancy device, insteadof connecting the delivery end directly to the target device. Thebuoyancy device generally has a target position which is below the watersurface, at a depth at which forces from wind and waves do notsubstantially affect the position of the buoyancy device.

At least one flexible connecting pipeline connects the delivery end ofthe pipeline from the buoyancy device to the target device, providing afluid connection. The movements of the target device thus do not disturbthe riser. Also, the target device may be connected to—and disconnectedfrom—the pipeline without disturbing or moving the pipeline itself. Theconnecting pipeline is generally indicated in the field of the art as aflexible.

The buoyancy device makes it possible to lay and install the pipelinewith a pipeline laying vessel, and remove the pipeline laying vesselfrom the free end of the pipeline prior to the arrival of the targetdevice at the installation location.

The depth at which the buoyancy device is positioned may for instance be100 meter. The water depths for which this technology is typicallyapplied may range between 1000 and 3000 meters. The flexible connectingpipeline between the delivery end of the pipeline and the target devicemay have a length of several hundreds of meter.

It is generally necessary to substantially fix at least the verticalposition of the buoyancy device. For this end, the buoyancy device isanchored to the seabed by means of an anchoring line (also indicated inthe field of the art as a tether), and the buoyancy device is providedwith more buoyancy than necessary to support the delivery end of thepipeline. This ensures that the anchoring line is taut, and ensures aposition of the buoyancy device which is substantially fixed in avertical direction. The buoyancy device applies axial tension on thepipeline in the region above the coupling point.

The anchoring line which connects the buoyancy device with the seabedmay, in case of a substantial water depth, have a considerable length.This is generally disadvantageous. Installing a long anchoring line isgenerally difficult.

Supporting the delivery end of the riser with a buoyancy device does notprevent all movements of the pipeline. Other factors also play a role.Changing water currents and Vortex Induced Vibrations exert dynamicforces on the pipeline along the length thereof. These forces may stillcause movements of at least a part of the riser, thereby causingfatigue.

The dynamic forces on the riser section may in particular move thepipeline at the touch-down zone relative to the seabed. This causes anincreased fatigue in the touch-down zone. In this respect, it is knownfrom for instance OTC paper 16627 by S. Bhat et al., presented on May3-6, 2004, that fatigue in the touch-down zone is critical in designconsiderations of risers.

Apart from an increased fatigue, a movement of the touch-down zoneresults in a risk of the seabed section of the pipeline being damaged,for instance due to wear and tear from the pipe-soil interaction.

In a riser assembly known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,517, a riser isprovided having a flexible hose near the seabed which curves upwardsfrom the seabed. The device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,517 has a gravedisadvantage in that extensive construction work is necessary at theseabed in order to install the flexible hose and connect it to both thehorizontal pipeline and the vertical riser. The device of U.S. Pat. No.4,023,517 also extends above the water surface, thereby being influencedby forces from wind and waves, which seriously increase fatigue of theriser.

From U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,431 a riser system is known, which extendsalong a lazy wave curve from the seabed to a point at which anchor linesconnect the riser with the seabed. A dead weight is provided incombination with the anchor lines, allowing the riser to move upwards,together with a vessel to which it is connected. The movement inducesstrong fatigue in the riser, leading to a short lifetime. The risersystem of U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,431 extends above the water surface, andis thus influenced by forces from wind and waves, which furtherincreases the fatigue of the riser.

From U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,137 a riser system is known, wherein a riser isconnected via a rod to a dead weight. The riser extends along a lazywave form to a location above the water surface where it is connected toa platform which moves under the influence of wind and waves. Thecombination of a lazy wave form and a direct connection to a platform atthe water surface creates large, varying loads on the riser system,leading to strong fatigue and a short lifetime.

From U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,448 a riser system is known which comprises aflexible pipeline. Such a flexible pipeline is only suitable for smallerwater depths. The riser is directly connected to a vessel at the watersurface. The riser has a lazy wave form, and is connected to the seabedvia a tether at a section of the pipeline which is substantiallyhorizontal. This configuration leads to a strong fatigue of thepipeline, because large dynamic loads may be exerted on the pipeline.The large angle of the tether relative to the pipeline at the junctionfurther induces a high bending moment in the riser at the junction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is generally desirable in the field of the art to reduce movements ofthe pipeline, in particular in the touch-down zone.

In an embodiment of the invention, a pipeline assembly is provided,comprising:

a pipeline which is substantially rigid, the pipeline extending partlyon a seabed, the pipeline further comprising a curved section whichcurves upwardly from the seabed, the pipeline extending to a deliveryend thereof provided near a water surface;

at least one anchoring device provided at the seabed;

at least one connecting device connecting a coupling point on thepipeline with the anchoring device, the connecting device beingconfigured to substantially limit an upward movement of the couplingpoint;

a support device coupled to the pipeline at the delivery end.

The connecting device limits the freedom of movement of the couplingpoint, thereby substantially reducing movements in the touch-down zoneof the pipeline. Hence, fatigue of the pipeline, in particular in thetouch-down zone, is substantially decreased.

An upward movement of the coupling point may not completely beprevented, because the connecting device may in some embodiments of theinvention pivot about the anchoring point over a small angle. A smallupward movement of the coupling point may then occur. However, thecoupling point is prevented from moving upward over a substantialdistance.

During the installation of the pipeline, a pipeline laying vessel maylay the pipeline in a J-lay mode, S-lay mode or in a reel mode byspooling the pipeline from a reel. The pipeline is generally first laidon the seabed over a certain distance. Subsequently, the riser sectionof the pipeline is installed. Finally, the delivery end of the pipelineis supported at or near the water surface, in order to fix the positionof the pipeline.

A single anchoring device with a single connecting device may beprovided, or a plurality of anchoring devices may be provided at theseabed at a distance from one another, each anchoring device having aconnecting device via which the coupling point is connected to theanchoring device.

Factors that determine the trajectory of the pipeline may be gravity,the bending stiffness of the pipeline and the supporting conditions atthe delivery end.

The pipeline generally has a steel wall, which is thick relative to aninner diameter of the pipeline. The pipeline is thus heavier than thesurrounding water, and will have the tendency to sink, regardless of amedium with which the pipeline is filled.

The section of the pipeline resting on the seabed may be indicated asthe seabed section, whereas the section of the pipeline extending fromthe seabed to the delivery end of the pipeline may be indicated as theriser section. The seabed section ends at the touch-down point. From thetouch-down point, the pipeline extends along a curved trajectory upward.

The curvature of the pipeline is minimal at the touch-down point. Fromthe touch-down point, the curvature of the pipeline increases in adirection away from the touch-down point, toward a point where thecurvature reaches a maximum, indicated as a maximum curvature point.From this point, the curvature gradually decreases in a directiontowards the delivery end of the pipeline. The upper part of the risersection generally has only a slight curvature and extends substantiallyvertically.

In an embodiment, the support device comprises at least one buoy whichis positioned at a distance below the water surface. The delivery endalso ends at a distance below the water surface. The pipeline can thusbe supported independently from the target device, such that movementsof the target device do not affect the pipeline. In use, an intermediateflexible pipeline provides a fluid connection between the delivery endand the target device.

In one aspect, a section of the pipeline between the coupling point andthe delivery end is substantially straight. The bending moments in thepipeline due to the upward force from the buoyancy device are thusadvantageously limited.

In one aspect, the pipeline is locally reinforced at and/or near thecoupling point in order to withstand a bending moment which is locallyhigher due to a force which is applied on the pipeline by the connectingdevice. In this way, the coupling point may be located lower than with anon-reinforced pipeline, leading to a shorter and simpler connectiondevice.

In one aspect, the coupling point is positioned at approximately 300-900meters above the seabed, in particular between 600 and 800 meter abovethe seabed. Surprisingly, the distance has been found to provide a highstiffness and a low fatigue of the riser in case of a riser having anouter diameter of approximately 12 inch.

It has been found that for a riser having a smaller outer diameter than12 inch the coupling point is to be positioned at a distance of lessthan 700 meter from the seabed. It has been found that for a riserhaving an outer diameter of more than 12 inch, the coupling point is tobe positioned at more than 700 meter from the seabed.

In one aspect, the angle between a longitudinal axis of the pipeline anda vertical axis decreases when viewed along the pipeline from a touchdown point to the coupling point. A monotonous upward curve, without anylazy wave between the touch down point and the coupling point has beenfound to produce relatively small movements of the pipeline and hence,low fatigue.

In one aspect, the connecting device extends along a substantiallycatenary trajectory from the anchoring device to the coupling device. Ithas been found that a cable which follows a catenary curve provides asuitable anchoring of the pipeline.

In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises a pipeline shapingdevice for shaping at least part of the pipeline along a trajectoryhaving a substantially predetermined curvature. The pipeline shapingdevice prevents the pipeline from adopting a too strong curvature,leading to ovalization or to buckling or kinking of the pipeline.

In an embodiment, the pipeline shaping device comprises a contactsurface which at least in part faces downward, wherein the contactsurface curves upward. The pipeline may be positioned against thecontact surface, restricting the bending of the pipeline along thecurvature of the contact surface.

In an embodiment, the contact surface has a curvature radius which ischosen relative to the diameter of the pipeline in such a way, that thepipeline is elastically deformed when engaging the contact surface alonga length thereof. The behavior of the material of the pipeline inelastic deformations is well known.

Alternatively, in an embodiment, the contact surface has a curvatureradius which is chosen relative to a diameter of the pipeline in such away, that the pipeline is plastically deformed when engaging the contactsurface along a length thereof. The radius of the curvature can berelatively small, allowing the use of a relatively small pipelineshaping device.

In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises a first couplingdevice provided on the pipeline at a coupling point above the seabed,and a connecting organ connecting the first coupling device with theanchoring device. The connecting organ may be elongate, having a firstend which is connected to the first coupling device and having a second,opposite end which is connected to the anchoring device.

In one aspect, the anchoring device is fixed to the seabed. Contrary toa dead weight, the fixed anchoring device cannot be lifted upward when astrong upward force which exceeds the dead weight is applied to it.

This configuration provides a simple way of preventing the couplingpoint from moving upward. An upward force exerted in the pipeline by thesupport device can substantially be diverted to the connecting device.

In an embodiment, the pipeline assembly comprises a curvature limitingdevice, fitted along at least a part of the curved section of thepipeline, the curvature limiting device being configured to limit amaximum curvature of the pipeline of said pipeline part. The pipelinecan be bent at the curved section thereof without a risk of bending thepipeline too much, causing ovalization or damage to the pipeline.

In an embodiment, the connecting device is connected to the pipeline ata coupling point, wherein at the coupling point a longitudinal axis ofthe pipeline extends at an angle of less than ten degrees, in particularless than five degrees, to the vertical.

A bending moment in the pipeline caused by a vertical force exerted onthe pipeline at the coupling point is dependent on the angle at whichthe pipeline extends at the coupling point. If the angle is small, anupward force will cause only a small bending moment in the pipeline atthe coupling point.

Preferably, at the coupling point a longitudinal axis of the pipelineextends substantially vertically. The pipeline may thus be substantiallyfree of bending moments at the coupling point, in case of verticalforces exerted on the pipeline at the delivery end thereof.

In an embodiment, the connecting organ is elongate and extends at leastin part at an angle of less than ten degrees, in particular less thanfive degrees to the vertical. Preferably, the connecting organ extendssubstantially vertically. This orientation further reduces the bendingmoments in the pipeline.

The connecting device may also have a function of exerting a horizontalforce on the pipeline in a direction away from the touch down point.This prevents the buoyancy device and/or the riser section from movingtoward the touch down point, in which case a too strong curvature couldbe imparted to the curved section and the pipeline could plasticallydeform and/or be damaged.

In an embodiment, the first coupling device of the connecting device isconstructed in order to allow a rotation of the pipeline relative to theconnecting organ about a horizontal axis. This further reduces bendingmoments in the pipeline at the coupling point.

In an embodiment, the first coupling device of the connecting device isconfigured to couple the pipeline to the connecting device by moving thepipeline against an operating organ of the first coupling device. Theconnecting device may thus be pre-installed and laid on the seabed,whereafter the pipeline may simply be laid on the coupling device,thereby making the connection.

In an embodiment, the pipeline assembly comprises an anchoring couplingdevice, which is configured to couple the connecting device to theanchoring device by moving the connecting device against an operatingorgan of the anchoring coupling device. The connecting device may thusbe connected to the pipeline at the pipeline laying vessel, subsequentlylowered to the seabed and coupled to the anchoring device, which haspreviously been installed.

In an embodiment, the buoyancy of the buoyancy device is controllablyvariable. The buoyancy device may be filled with water when the buoyancydevice is lowered under the water surface with the pipeline, whichreduces a risk of collapsing of the buoyancy device due to hydrostaticpressure. When the delivery end is at its delivery end target location,the buoyancy may be increased, thereby supporting the pipeline.

In an embodiment, the pipeline is at least in part manufactured from agroup of pipeline parts, comprising: steel pipe, flexible pipe, coatedsteel pipe, steel pipe with anodes, plastic pipe, steel pipe-in-pipe,welded steel pipe sections, threaded steel pipe sections and a steelpipe with external foam sections.

These parts are very suitable for manufacturing risers.

In one aspect the pipeline is manufactured from a plurality of pipesections which are joined together on a pipeline laying vessel, whereinthe coupling point is provided on a particular pipe section at adistance from both ends of said pipe section.

The pipe sections are generally welded end-to-end. The bending moment atthe coupling point generally shows a sharp local rise. In order tominimize the bending moment in the welding zones near the ends, it isadvantageous to position the coupling point as far away from the ends aspossible, thus substantially in the middle of the pipe section.

In one aspect, a substantial part of said pipe section is reinforcedrelative to the adjoining pipe sections, in particular in such a waythat said pipe section has ends which have a similar cross-section asthe cross-section of the ends of adjoining pipe sections, such that thereinforced pipe section can be welded to the adjoining pipe sections ina normal fashion.

It is preferred to be able to weld the reinforced pipe section in anormal fashion, i.e. with a normal weld, because it is usually difficultto achieve a high quality standard for different welds. Since quality isimportant, it is generally preferred to use the same weld for thereinforced section as for the other sections.

The reinforced part of the pipe section may therefore extend over asubstantial part of the pipe section and gradually taper towards anormal cross-section at the ends. The reinforcement may comprise agreater wall thickness, or be a different suitable type ofreinforcement. In an embodiment, the support device is anchored to theseabed by anchoring means. Anchoring the support device to the seabedfurther reduces movements of the pipeline, thereby further decreasingfatigue. The anchoring means may comprise a tether, a mooring lineand/or other anchoring means.

In an embodiment, at least one curvature buoyancy device is connected tothe pipeline, the curvature buoyancy device extending along a part ofthe riser section and configured to support the pipeline along a lazywave trajectory.

In a lazy wave trajectory, the angle of the main longitudinal relativeto a vertical axis increases up to a certain turning point, when viewedin an upward direction from the coupling point. From the turning point,the angle of the main longitudinal relative to the vertical axisdecreases again, when viewed in an upward direction.

The at least one curvature buoyancy device dampens movements of thedelivery end such that the movements do not propagate to the touch-downarea, thereby further reducing movements and fatigue in the touch-downarea.

In an embodiment, the at least one curvature buoyancy device comprises anumber of buoyancy elements fitted along the pipeline. This embodimentprovides a simple way of enabling a lazy wave configuration.

In an embodiment, the support device comprises a target devicepositioned at the water surface. The pipeline may then be directlyconnected to the target device, for instance in case the position of thetarget device is substantially fixed, or in combination with a lazy waveconfiguration.

The invention also relates to a pipeline device comprising at least afirst pipeline assembly and a second pipeline assembly connected to oneanother at a substantial distance above the seabed, by an inter-pipelineconnecting device. If a pipeline is only connected to the seabed at thecoupling point, and the delivery end is connected to a buoyancy device,the delivery end may move horizontally over a substantial distance. Byproviding a connection between two pipelines, the horizontal movementsof the pipelines, in particular movements of the delivery ends, aresubstantially reduced. The total horizontal stiffness of the combinedpipeline assemblies is substantially increased.

In an embodiment, the inter-pipeline connecting device is provided witha prestress, pulling at least part of the first and second pipelineassembly toward one another over a predetermined distance. This furtherreduces the horizontal movements of the pipelines.

In an embodiment, the inter-pipeline connecting device comprises asubstantially flexible organ connected at a first end thereof to thefirst pipeline assembly, and connected at a second end thereof to thesecond pipeline assembly, the substantially flexible organ provided witha substantial mass. This is a simple way of providing a prestress.

In an embodiment, the inter-pipeline connecting device is connected tothe pipeline of the first pipeline assembly and the pipeline of thesecond pipeline assembly at the respective delivery ends thereof. Thisis a logical location for connecting the inter-pipeline connectingdevice.

In an embodiment, the first pipeline and the second pipeline aresupported by a common support device comprising the inter-pipelineconnecting device. If two pipelines are supported by a common supportdevice, a single buoyancy device may be provided. Horizontal movementsof the delivery ends are also substantially reduced.

In an embodiment, the support device comprises a connector which isconnected at a first end thereof to the delivery end and at a second endthereof to a flexible connecting pipeline, wherein the connector has anarcuate form, and wherein the first end and second end are orientedsubstantially downward. This allows both the pipeline and the connectingpipeline to be suspended from the connector, reducing bending momentsboth in the pipeline and the connecting pipeline.

The buoyancy device may be fitted around the pipeline, such that thepipeline protrudes from an upper end of the buoyancy device.Alternatively, the buoyancy device may be positioned above the deliveryend. Other positions of the buoyancy device are also possible, forinstance adjacent the pipeline.

The invention further relates to a pipeline shaping device for use inthe pipeline assembly.

The invention also relates to a support device for use in the pipelineassembly.

The invention further relates to a method for installing a pipelineassembly, the method comprising:

a) positioning a pipeline at least partly on a seabed by a pipelinelaying vessel, the pipeline being substantially rigid, the pipelinecomprising a curved section which curves upwardly from the seabed, thepipeline extending to a delivery end thereof which is supported by thepipeline laying vessel;

b) providing at least one anchoring device at the seabed;

c) connecting the pipeline at a coupling point to the anchoring deviceby at least one connecting device, the at least one connecting devicebeing configured for substantially limiting an upward movement of thecoupling point;

d) positioning the delivery end at a delivery end target position;

e) supporting the pipeline at the delivery end by a support device; and

f) disconnecting the pipeline from the pipeline laying vessel. Accordingto the method, a pipeline can be installed in a simple way having acoupling point which is prevented from moving upward.

In an embodiment, step c comprises:

c1) coupling a connection device to the pipeline; and

c2) moving at least part of the pipeline downward, in order to couplethe connecting device to the anchoring device.

In an embodiment, step c comprises:

c1) coupling a connection device to the anchoring device; and

c2) moving at least part of the pipeline downward, in order to couplethe connecting device to the anchoring device.

In these embodiments, the pipeline can be connected to the anchoringdevice by moving the coupling point as specified. This movement can beeffectuated by the pipeline laying vessel at the water surface, therebyobviating a need for complex underwater operations, for instance with aRemotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

In one aspect, in step c1) the connection device is laid on the seabed,the connection device extending from the anchoring device in a directionfrom which a pipeline approaches the anchoring device as it is beinglaid. The pipeline thus reaches the connecting device as it is laid andcan be simply connected to the connecting device.

In an embodiment, the method comprises coupling at least one buoyancydevice to the pipeline prior to connecting the pipeline to the anchoringdevice. The buoyancy device may thus be coupled to the pipeline at thepipeline laying vessel, where this operation can easily be performed.

In an embodiment, the method comprises pre-installing the anchoringdevice prior to step (a). In an embodiment, the method comprisespre-connecting the connecting device with the anchoring device, andcoupling the pipeline with the connecting device during step (c). Hence,the pipeline itself is further simplified and can be performed by asingle pipeline laying vessel.

In an embodiment, the method comprises connecting the connecting deviceto the pipeline at the pipeline laying vessel, wherein step (c)comprises coupling the connecting device to the anchoring device. Onlyone coupling operation need be performed at the seabed, and thiscoupling operation may be performed by maneuvering the pipeline by thepipeline laying vessel.

In an embodiment, step (c) comprises lowering a delivery end of thepipeline from the pipeline laying vessel by a hoisting device. This is asimple way of moving the coupling point toward the anchoring device, forcoupling the coupling point with the anchoring device by the connectingdevice.

In an embodiment, step (d) comprises connecting a flexible connectingpipeline to the buoyancy device at the pipeline laying vessel andconnecting the flexible connecting pipeline with a target device afterpositioning the delivery end at the delivery end target position. Thisobviates a need for coupling the connecting pipeline with the deliveryend at the target depth of the delivery end.

In an embodiment, the method comprises providing a pipeline shapingdevice connected with the anchoring device and bending the pipelinesubstantially around the pipeline shaping device during step (d).

The required form and position of the pipeline can be achieved by simplymaneuvering the delivery end by the pipeline laying vessel. Hence, nocomplicated operations at the seabed are necessary.

In an embodiment, the method comprises laying the pipeline at leastpartially on the seabed near the pipeline shaping device andsubsequently moving the pipeline substantially horizontally to aposition wherein a part of the pipeline is situated underneath thepipeline shaping device, prior to the bending of the pipeline.

This obviates a need for a very accurate laying of the pipeline relativeto the pipeline shaping device.

The invention is explained in more detail in the text which follows withreference to the drawing which shows a number of embodiments which aregiven purely by way of non-limiting examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a pipeline assembly according tothe invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a schematic side view of a series of steps of amethod of installing the pipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 c 1, 2 c 2, 2 c 3 and 2 d 1, 2 d 2, 2 d 3 show a schematic sideview of a series of steps of another method of installing the pipelineassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 e shows an elevated view of an embodiment of a first couplingdevice along the lines A-A of FIG. 2 f;

FIG. 2 f shows a schematic side view of a pipeline positioned on a firstcoupling device;

FIG. 2 g shows a first coupling device;

FIGS. 2 i, 2 j, 2 k, 2 l and 2 m show schematic side views of anembodiment of the method of installing the pipeline assembly;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show schematic side views of embodiments of a couplingdevice;

FIG. 3 c shows a schematic side view of another coupling deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 d shows a schematic front view of a coupling device according tothe invention;

FIG. 4 a shows a schematic front view of a connecting device;

FIG. 4 b shows a schematic side view of a connecting device;

FIGS. 5 a 1, 5 a 2, 5 a 3, 5 a 4 and 5 b 1, 5 b 2, 5 b 3, 5 b 4, 5 b 5,5 b 6 show a schematic side view of a series of steps of a method ofinstalling the pipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIGS. 5 c 1, 5 c 2, 5 c 3, 5 c 4 and 5 d 1, 5 d 2, 5 d 3 show aschematic side view of a series of steps of another method of installingthe pipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 5 e shows an axonometric view of an embodiment of the delivery endof the pipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 5 g shows a side view of an embodiment of the delivery end of thepipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 5 f shows a top view of an embodiment of the delivery end of thepipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of a pipelineassembly according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d, 7 e show a schematic side view of a series ofsteps of a method of installing the pipeline assembly according to theinvention;

FIG. 8 a shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the pipelineassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 8 b shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of a connectingdevice;

FIG. 8 c shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a connectingdevice;

FIGS. 8 d 1, 8 d 2, 8 d 3 and 8 e 1,8 e 2, 8 e 3, 8 e 4 show a schematicside view of a series of steps of a method of installing the pipelineassembly of FIGS. 8 a-8 c;

FIG. 9 a shows a schematic side view of a pipeline comprising acurvature limiting section;

FIG. 9 b shows a schematic side view of a curved pipeline comprising acurvature limiting section;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic side view of a pipeline assembly comprising aplurality of pipeline assemblies;

FIG. 11 a shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of thepipeline assembly;

FIG. 11 b shows an enlarged axonometric view of another embodiment ofthe pipeline assembly;

FIG. 11 c shows a schematic axonometric view of another embodiment ofthe pipeline assembly;

FIG. 11 d shows a schematic axonometric view of another embodiment ofthe pipeline assembly;

FIG. 12 a shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of thepipeline assembly of the invention;

FIG. 12 b shows a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of thepipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of the pipelineassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of thepipeline assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of thepipeline assembly according to the invention; and

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b show schematic side views of embodiments of asupport device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a pipeline assembly 1 according to theinvention. A target device 2 is shown, positioned at a water surface 4.The target device 2 may be an FPSO, or a different kind of vessel. Thewater 6 may have a substantial depth 8, for instance ranging between oneand three kilometres.

A pipeline 10 comprises a seabed section 12, which rests on a seabed 14,and a riser section 16, which extends from a touchdown point 18 at theseabed 14 to a buoyancy device 20, positioned at a depth 22 under thewater surface 4. The buoyancy device 20 exerts an upward force on thepipeline 10. The depth 22 is chosen such, that the buoyancy device 20 issubstantially free of forces of waves and wind. At least one flexiblepipeline 34 connects a delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 to the targetdevice 2 for providing a fluid connection between the delivery end 36and the target device 2. The seabed section 14 may be connected at oneend thereof to an oil well (not shown).

An anchoring device 26 is provided at the seabed 14. The anchoringdevice 26 may be a suction pile, a driven pile, a dead weight, aconcrete structure, or a different kind of anchoring device. Aconnecting device 27 connects the pipeline 10 with the anchoring device26. The connecting device 27 comprises an elongate connecting organ 28in the form of a cable or line which extends from the anchoring device26 to a coupling point 30 on the pipeline 10. The connecting organ 28may extend substantially vertically, or at a small angle to a verticalaxis 73, for instance at an angle of five or ten degrees relative to avertical axis 73.

The connecting organ 28 exerts a substantially downward force on thecoupling point 30, preventing the buoyancy device 20 from floatingupwards, and thus keeping the pipeline 10 substantially in a fixedvertical position. The connecting device 27 thus limits a freedom ofmovement of at least a part of the curved section (15).

It is also possible that the anchoring device 26 comprises at least twoanchoring points (not shown) spaced apart at the seabed 14, wherein thecoupling point 30 is connected to each anchoring point.

Preferably, the at least two anchoring points are spaced apart in adirection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 69 of the pipeline 10.Alternatively, the at least two anchoring points may be spaced apart ina direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 69 of the pipeline. Thecoupling point 30 may substantially be prevented from movinghorizontally.

From the touchdown point 18, the riser section 16 follows a curvedtrajectory upward. The riser section 16 extends at an angle α relativeto a vertical axis 73, wherein the angle α decreases in an upwarddirection. The riser section 16 may have substantially a form of acatenary, wherein the curvature of the pipeline 10 varies along thepipeline.

The curvature of the pipeline is defined by a curvature radius 32. Thecurvature of the pipeline increases along the pipeline from thetouchdown point 18 toward a maximum curvature point 24. From the maximumcurvature point 24, the curvature decreases along the pipeline in anupward direction. At a certain distance above the seabed 14, thepipeline 10 has only a slight curvature and extends substantiallyvertically toward the buoyancy device 20.

A horizontal distance between the buoyancy device 20 and the couplingpoint 30 is thus relatively small compared to a horizontal distancebetween the buoyancy device 20 and the touch-down point 18 of thepipeline 10. The curvature of the pipeline 10 at the coupling point 30is substantially smaller than a maximum curvature of the pipeline 10occurring below the coupling point 30.

A curvature radius 32 of the pipeline 10 at the coupling point 30 istypically greater than 500 times the external diameter 71 of thepipeline 10.

The pipeline assembly 1 provides a substantially catenary pipelineassembly which suffers less from disadvantages of the prior art. Fatiguein the touch-down zone is substantially less than in known risers. Thetouch-down point is substantially fixed relative to the seabed. A simpleand effective way of anchoring a substantially catenary riser having adelivery end supported by a buoyancy device to the seabed is thusprovided.

Turning to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b an embodiment of a method of installing thepipeline assembly 1 according to the invention is shown in steps I-X.

In a first step I, the pipeline 10 is laid by the pipeline-laying vessel40. As shown, the pipeline is being laid in a J-lay mode. It is alsopossible to lay the pipe in an S-lay mode or by spooling it from a reel(not shown). The connecting device 27 comprises a first coupling device42 which is connected at the pipeline laying vessel 40 to the pipeline10 during the laying process of the pipeline 10. The coupling device 42may be a clamp, installed on the pipeline 10 as an in-line structure.

The connecting organ 28 is connected at one end 44 thereof to thecoupling device during the pipeline laying process at the pipelinelaying vessel. The connecting organ 28 may be a tether, a tendon, acable, a line, a chain, or another suitable device.

The connecting device 27 further comprises an anchoring coupling device48 which is provided at an opposite end 46 of the connecting organ 28,for instance in the form of a hook or a so-called ballgrab connector.The anchoring coupling device 48 is configured to be coupled to theanchoring device 26. The anchoring device 26 comprises a mating part 49,for instance in the form of an eye or a receptacle for a ballgrabconnector.

As the pipeline 10 is being laid, the first coupling device 42 is moveddownward, toward the seabed 14.

In step II, a final pipe section is joined to the pipeline and thepipeline 10 has reached its target length. If the pipeline 10 is laid ina reel mode, the pipeline 10 is completely spooled from a reel or cutfrom a length of pipe remaining on a reel, the cut positioned at thelocation of the delivery end 36 (not shown). The first coupling device42 has a position at a certain distance above the seabed 14.

In step III, the connecting organ 28 is positioned on the seabed 14 overat least a part of its length, possibly in a bended form. For this end,the connecting organ 28 is substantially flexible.

The anchoring device 26 may have been pre-installed by another vesselprior to the laying the pipeline 10, or may be installed by thepipeline-laying vessel 40, for instance when the pipeline-laying vessel40 is positioned substantially above a target location 52 of theanchoring device 26. In FIG. 2 a, this would be a position of thepipeline laying vessel between step I and II.

In order to couple the anchoring coupling device 48 to the anchoringdevice 26, the pipeline 10 may be manoeuvred by the pipeline-layingvessel 40 in such a way, that the anchoring coupling device 48 engagesthe mating part 49 on the anchoring device 26, and is subsequentlycoupled with the anchoring device 26. For this end, it may be necessaryto lower the delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 from the pipeline-layingvessel 40, for instance by means of an Abandonment and Recovery (A&R)device 54, as is shown in step IV.

Possibly, the delivery end 36 is lowered entirely to the seabed 14, asis shown in step V. During this process, the pipeline-laying vessel 40is moved in the direction of the pipeline, as is shown by double arrow50. However, it may also be possible to lower the delivery end 36 toonly a limited depth, which is sufficient for the anchoring couplingdevice 48 to engage the anchoring device 26.

There may also be other methods and means for connecting the anchoringcoupling device 48 to the anchoring device 26. The anchoring couplingdevice 48 may comprise communication means and be remotely operable. Theanchoring coupling device 48 may also comprises drive means, which areconfigured to move the second coupling means toward the anchoring device26 and couple the anchoring coupling device 48 to the anchoring device26.

As is shown in step VI, it is possible to disconnect the A&R-device 54from the delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10. The pipeline-laying vessel40 may then be moved away from the installation site, for instance inorder to lay another pipeline or for installing the anchoring device 26and connecting the anchoring coupling device 48 to it, when theanchoring device 26 was not preinstalled (not shown).

In step VII, the pipeline-laying vessel 40 lifts the delivery end 36 ofthe pipeline 10 from the seabed 14 with the A&R-device 54, and moves itupward. At the same time, the delivery end 36 is moved in a horizontaldirection, towards a position substantially above the anchoring device26. The pipeline 10 is thus substantially rotated about the touch-downpoint 18. At the same time, the touch-down point 18 itself moves,because the pipeline 10 is lifted from the seabed 14.

In steps VIII and IX, the riser section 16 of the pipeline 10 iscompletely lifted from the seabed 14, in order to adopt its targetposition. The delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 is gradually movedupwards and positioned substantially above the anchoring device 26.

The first coupling device 42 is also gradually moved upward. During theraising of the pipeline 10, the pipeline-laying vessel 40 is graduallymoved horizontally toward a location 56 substantially above theanchoring device 26. As the riser section 16 adopts its target position,the connecting organ 28 is pulled substantially taut.

In step X, the delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 is positioned at adelivery end target position 118. A buoyancy device 20 is connected withthe delivery end of the pipeline 10. The buoyancy device 20 supports thedelivery end 36 of the pipeline 10. The pipeline 10 is suspended fromthe buoyancy device 20. The force exerted by the A&R-device 54 on thedelivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 may now be reduced, and theA&R-device 54 can be disconnected from the delivery end 36 of thepipeline 10.

In the target position, the first coupling device 42 is positionedsubstantially above the anchoring device 26, or at a relatively smallhorizontal distance from the anchoring device 26. The connecting organ28 may have a length of approximately 50-400 meters, depending on thediameter of the pipeline 10. When the pipeline 10 has a large diameter,the bending radius 32 of a curved section 15 of the pipeline 10 isrelatively large, in order to limit tensions occurring in the pipeline10 and to ensure, that only elastic deformations occur. When thediameter of the pipeline 10 is relatively small, the radius 32 of thecurved section 15 of the pipeline 10 may be relatively small. Thisallows a smaller length of the connecting organ 28. Typically, when thediameter of the pipeline is 12.75 inch and a wall thickness is 25 mm,the radius 32 of the curvature is in the order of 250 meter. Thebuoyancy device may have a cylindrical form, having a diameter of 10meter and a length of 18 meter. The cylindrical buoyancy device 20 maybe oriented substantially vertically.

Instead of connecting the buoyancy device 20 to the delivery end 36 ofthe pipeline in step X, it is also possible to connect the buoyancydevice 20 earlier, for instance in step II, when the pipeline hasreached its full length. In this case, the buoyancy device 20 may have abuoyancy which can be controllably varied, for instance by eitherfilling the buoyancy device with air or water, or by partly filling thebuoyancy device with air and partly with water.

In steps II-V, the buoyancy device 20 will be substantially filled withwater, in order to enable the lowering of the delivery end 36 includingthe buoyancy device 20.

In step VII, the buoyancy of the buoyancy device 20 may be increased,aiding in the raising of the pipeline 10. When the buoyancy device 20 islowered into the water 6, a hydrostatic water pressure on the wall ofthe buoyancy device 20 increases, and may become very high. For thisend, the buoyancy device 20 may be completely filled with water.

It is also possible to connect the connecting organ 28 to the anchoringdevice 26 prior to connecting the coupling device 42 to the connectingorgan 28. In this case, the first coupling device 42 may comprise apipeline coupling part (not shown) connected to the pipeline 10 and afirst mating part (not shown) connected to the connecting organ 28, suchthat the first mating part can be coupled to the pipeline coupling part,when the pipeline coupling part engages the first mating part. Forinstance, the first mating part may be a clamp laying in an openposition on the seabed. The pipeline coupling part may be a collar or adifferent protrusion fixed to the pipeline and extending outwardly fromthe pipeline 10. When the pipeline 10 is laid on the clamp, the clamp isclosed, substantially surrounding the pipeline. The collar is positionedbetween the clamp and the touch-down point 18. When the pipeline 10 ismoved upward, the pipeline 10 slides through the clamp and the collarengages the clamp. The pipeline 10 is thus prevented from moving furtherupward relative to the clamp. The connecting organ 28 is pulled taut andthe target position of the pipeline assembly 1 is achieved. The firstmating part may also be a hook, adapted to hook onto an eye provided onone end of the connecting organ 28.

Turning to FIGS. 2 c 1-2 c 3 and 2 d 1-2 d 3, a series of steps I-VI isshown, wherein the buoyancy device 20 is connected to the delivery end36 of the pipeline 10 at the pipeline laying vessel 40, and wherein thebuoyancy device 20 is subsequently lowered from the pipeline layingvessel 40 during step II for coupling the connecting organ 28 to thefirst coupling device 42 and the anchoring device 26. Preferably, thebuoyancy device 20 comprises a pressure system for ballasting ordeballasting the buoyancy device 20. During steps I and II, the buoyancydevice may be substantially ballasted in order to reduce the buoyancyforce.

In step III, the connecting organ 28 is coupled to the anchoring device26 and the first coupling device 42. The connection may be performed byan ROV (not shown).

In steps IV, V and VI, the delivery end 36 and the buoyancy device 20are moved to the delivery end target location 118. The buoyancy device20 is deballasted, to provide the lifting force for the pipeline 10 tobe suspended.

FIGS. 2 e, 2 f and 2 g show a first coupling device 42 having an opening134 at an upper side thereof 135. The first coupling device 42 comprisesrollers 62 which allow a movement of the pipeline 10 relative to thefirst coupling device 42 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 69 ofthe pipeline 10. The rollers 62 taper outwards from the center towardthe respective ends 137 thereof, for providing lateral support.

In operation, a pipeline 10 may be lowered onto the first couplingdevice 42 in the direction of arrow 136. Side supports 138 also providedfor guiding a pipeline 10 in the required position, for supporting thepipeline 10 in a lateral direction.

In FIG. 2 f, a coupling organ 140 is moved toward the first couplingdevice 42, and connected thereto, for connecting the first couplingdevice 42 around the pipeline 10. The coupling organ 140 is installed byan ROV 142. The ROV may be suspended from a surface vessel by asuspension 151 or self-floating. The coupling organ 140 may also besuspended from a crane on a surface vessel (not shown) in such a waythat the ROV substantially controls the horizontal position of thecoupling organ 140 and the vertical position of the coupling organ 140is controlled by the crane.

The first coupling device 42 is movably connected to the pipeline 10 inthe direction of the longitudinal axis.

It is also possible to provide a first coupling device 42 which isconfigured to be laid on the seabed 14 in a substantially open position,and is configured to couple substantially automatically to a pipeline 10when the pipeline 10 is laid on top of the first coupling device 42 bythe downward force of the pipeline 10 on the first coupling device 42.This may be achieved by two or more gripping parts, which are movablerelative to one another and substantially grip the pipeline 10. An ROVis thus not necessary.

Turning to FIGS. 2 i, 2 j, 2 k, 2 l and 2 m, a series of steps forinstalling the pipeline assembly 1 is shown. In FIG. 2 i, the anchoringdevice 26 is installed with a connecting organ 28 coupled thereto. InFIG. 2 j, the first coupling device has been provided and connected tothe connecting organ 28. The pipeline 10 is laid on the first couplingdevice 42, in particular on the rollers 62, and the pipeline 10 extendsadjacent the anchoring device 26. The pipeline 10 is provided with acollar device 144. Subsequently, the coupling organ 140 is provided onthe first coupling device 42.

In FIG. 2 k, the first coupling device 42 is connected to the pipeline10 and ready to be lifted from the seabed 14. The connecting organ 28 isconnected to the first coupling device 42 by the ROV. In FIG. 2 l, thepipeline 10 is moved upward. The first coupling device 42 rotates aboutthe longitudinal axis 69 of the pipeline 10, such that the rollers 62are positioned at an upper side of the pipeline 10. The collar device144 will be moved relative to the first coupling device 42 until thecollar device 144 abuts the first coupling device 42.

In FIG. 2 m, the pipeline 10 has reached its target position. The collardevice 144 abuts the first coupling device 42, and the connecting organ28 is pulled taut. The upward force 146 of the pipeline 10 is divertedvia the collar device 144 and the first coupling device 42 to theconnecting organ 28, and via the connecting organ 28 and the anchoringdevice 26 to the seabed 14.

Turning to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b different embodiments of the first couplingdevice 42 are shown. The first coupling device 42 may be a clamp, as isshown in FIG. 3 a, which is bolted by bolts 60 around the pipeline 10.The clamp may be fitted around the pipeline 10 completely or partially,for instance by gripping the pipeline 10 from two opposing sides. Theconnecting organ 28 may be connected to the first coupling device 42 insuch a way, that it is freely rotatable relative to the first couplingdevice 42, without exerting a substantial bending moment on the pipeline10. Thus, the angle α shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b may vary. The pipeline10 itself extends at an angle β relative to a vertical axis 73.

In FIG. 3 b, an embodiment of the first coupling device 42 is shownhaving rollers 62, which enable the first coupling device 42 to moverelative to the pipeline 10 in a direction parallel to a longitudinalaxis 69 of the pipeline 10, as shown by a double arrow 63. In this way,the first coupling device 42 may choose its own preferred position whenthe pipeline assembly 1 is installed.

FIGS. 3 c and 3 d show another embodiment of the first coupling device42, wherein projections 64 extend substantially horizontally from thefirst coupling device 42 along a horizontal axis 67 which intersects thelongitudinal axis 69 of the pipeline 10. A force is transferred from theconnecting organ 28 to the pipeline 10 at a force transfer point locatedsubstantially on the horizontal axis 67. The connecting organ 28 iscoupled to the projections 64 and is able to rotate about projections64. In this way, the connecting organ 28 may rotate relative to thepipeline 10, without exerting a bending movement on the pipeline 10.

The first coupling device 42 is thus configured to transfer a force fromthe connecting organ 28 to the pipeline 10 at least one force transferpoint 77 located on a substantially horizontal axis 67 extending throughthe longitudinal axis 69 of the pipeline 10, wherein the horizontal axis67 extends substantially perpendicular to a vertical plane in which thepipeline 10 extends.

Turning to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, an embodiment of the connecting device 27according to the invention is shown, wherein the connecting device 27 isconfigured to guide the pipeline 10 along a predetermined trajectory,which is in part curved. For this end, the connecting device 27comprises a pipeline shaping device 65, which defines the curvedtrajectory. The curvature of the trajectory is such, that the pipeline10 is substantially plastically deformed.

The connecting device 27 is connected to the anchoring device 26. Theconnecting device 27 comprises a contact surface 66, which, when viewedfrom the side, as is shown in FIG. 4 b, is curved and has substantiallya form of a quarter circle. The contact surface 66 need not be exactlycircular. When viewed from the front, the contact surface 66 has asubstantial U-shape which is turned upside down and comprises a firstridge 68 a and a second ridge 68 b which define a gutter-like form 70.The gutter 70 supports the pipeline 10 in a horizontal direction whenhorizontal forces are exerted on it, as is indicated by double arrow 72.The position of the curved section 15 is thus fixed in the direction ofarrow 72.

The connecting device 27 may also be indicated as a bending bench,because the pipeline 10 is bent around the connecting device 27, and acurved section 15 of the pipeline 10 is formed. The gutter 70 isconfigured to exert a downward force on the pipeline 10, preventing thepipeline 10 from moving upward by an upward force 74 exerted on thepipeline by the buoyancy device 20, and thus keeping the pipeline 10 ina fixed vertical position.

A vertical clearance 76 is provided between the pipeline shaping device65, in particular between ridge 68 a, and the seabed 14. The clearance76 enables the pipeline 10 to be moved horizontally from a firstposition adjacent the connecting device 27 to a second positionsubstantially under the contact surface 66, as will be further explainedhereinafter.

A locking device 78 may be provided for substantially locking thepipeline 10 in its position.

FIGS. 5 a 1-5 a 4 and 5 b 1-5 b 6 show a method of installing a pipelineassembly 1 comprising the connecting device 27 of FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. Insubsequent steps I through IX. In step I, the pipeline 10 is laid by thepipeline-laying vessel 40.

In step II, the pipeline 10 has reached its target length, and thedelivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 is lowered from the pipeline-layingvessel 40 by an A&R-device 54. The pipeline-laying vessel 40 is moved inthe direction of arrow 50, and as shown in steps III and IV, thepipeline 10 is fully laid on the seabed 14. It may also not be necessaryto lay the pipeline 10 completely on the seabed 14. In this case, thepipeline 10 is held in the position shown in step III, and subsequentlymoved upward, as is shown in step VII. Steps V and VI may thus beskipped.

The A&R-device 54 may alternatively be disconnected from the pipeline10, as is shown in step V. Subsequently, the anchoring device 26 and theconnecting device 27 may be provided, for instance by the pipelinelaying vessel 40, which is moved to a location 56 substantially abovethe target location of the anchoring device 26. It is possible that instep V, the connecting device 27 is positioned directly above thepipeline 10. In this way, the pipeline 10 may subsequently be raisedwithout a need of moving the pipeline 10 horizontally. However, it isalso possible to install the connecting device 27 at a locationalongside the pipeline 10. Then, the pipeline 10 is to be movedlaterally to a position under the connecting device 27, for whichpurpose the clearance 76 is provided between the pipeline shaping device65 and the seabed 14.

However, it is also possible to pre-install the anchoring device 26 andthe connecting device 27. The connecting device 27 may be installed by asecond auxiliary vessel (not shown). In this case, the pipeline can notbe positioned under the connecting device 27 in step III, and thehorizontal movement is to be carried out as described above. Theanchoring device 26 and the connecting device 27 may be pre-assembledinto one construction, and subsequently positioned at the seabed 14. Itis also possible to assemble the anchoring device 26 and the connectingdevice 27 at the seabed 14.

In step VI, it is shown that the delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 israised from the seabed 14 by the pipeline vessel 40 with the use of theA&R-device 54. The connecting device 27 is provided near the seabed 14,and anchored to the seabed 14 by an anchoring device 26. The deliveryend 36 of the pipeline 10 is moved upwards and moved horizontally towarda location above the connecting device 27.

In step IX, the pipeline 10 engages the contact surface 66 of theconnecting device 27, and is plastically deformed by the contact surface66, in such a way that a curved section 15 having a relatively smallradius 32 is formed. The plastic deformation is achieved by the movingof the pipeline laying vessel 40 relative to the seabed 14. The deliveryend 36 is moved by the pipeline laying vessel 40.

As is shown in step IX, it may be necessary to move the delivery end 36over a distance 119 beyond its delivery end target position 118, therebybending the pipeline 10 slightly more than is required in the targetposition. This allows some relaxation of the curved section 15 of thepipeline 10, thereby decreasing tensions in the pipeline wall in thecurved section 15 in the target position. The buoyancy device 20 may beconnected to the delivery end 36 in step X, or may have been connectedto the delivery end 36 of the pipeline previously, for instance in stepI.

A lock device 78 may be provided in order to lock the pipeline 10 in itstarget position.

Turning to FIGS. 5 c 1-5 c 4, 5 d 1-5 d 3, 5 e and 5 f, an embodiment ofthe invention is shown, wherein the buoyancy device 20 is connected tothe pipeline 10 in step I. In the same way as in the method of FIGS. 2 cand 2 d, the buoyancy device 20 is lowered to a predetermined depth 99and subsequently moved to the delivery end target location 118.

In step I, the anchoring device 26 and the pipeline shaping device 65are installed on the seabed 14. In step II, the buoyancy device 20 isconnected to the delivery end 36. In steps III and IV, the pipeline 10is laid adjacent the pipeline shaping device 65. The buoyancy device islowered to a predetermined depth 99. The buoyancy device 20 may bepartly or completely ballasted. In step V, the pipeline 10 is movedhorizontally in order to position a part of the pipeline 10 underneaththe pipeline shaping device 65. In steps VI and VII, the delivery end 36is moved toward the delivery end target location 118 in substantiallythe same way as in steps VI-X of FIG. 5 b, thereby bending the pipeline10 around the pipeline shaping device 65.

Turning to FIGS. 5 e, 5 f and 5 g, an embodiment of the buoyancy device20 is shown, wherein the buoyancy device 20 is elongate and providedsubstantially around the pipeline 10, near the delivery end 36 thereof.The delivery end 36 protrudes from the upper side 148 of the buoyancydevice 20.

A delivery end coupling device 150 is provided at the delivery end 36,to which an A&R device 54 may be coupled. An arcuate connector 108 isprovided in order to connect an end of the flexible connecting pipeline34 to the delivery end 36.

In FIG. 5 g, the buoyancy device 20 is provided with a recess 152, whichallows easy coupling and decoupling of the buoyancy device 20 with thepipeline 10, for instance after the pipeline 10 is positioned in itstarget position. A stop device 154 in the form of a collar is providedon the pipeline 10, for engaging the buoyancy device 20 and bearing anupward force of the buoyancy device 20 on the pipeline 10.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, an embodiment of the pipeline assembly 10 isshown, comprising a curvature limiting device 82. The curvature limitingdevice 82 is fitted substantially around the pipeline 10, and extendsfor a predetermined length along the pipeline 10. The curvature limitingdevice 82 comprises a series of interconnected elements 84 a . . . 84 lfitted substantially around the pipeline 10, the elements 84 a . . . 84l being pivotably connected to one another. A pivot angle of one elementrelative to a next element is limited. Such a curvature limiting device82 is known in the field of the art.

Instead of a curvature limiting device comprising a series ofinterconnected elements 84 a . . . 84 l, it is also possible to apply athick walled pipe section around the pipeline 10 having stress jointtransitions as is shown in FIGS. 9 a and 9 b.

The curvature limiting device 82 ensures that the pipeline 10 cannot bebent further than an elastic deformation allows. It is thus ensured thatthe pipeline 10 is substantially free of tensions beyond the elasticlimit and thus free of plastic deformations. A typical elastic curvatureradius 32 is 300 times the external diameter of the pipeline 10.Alternatively, the curvature limiting device 82 may limit the curvatureof the pipeline 10 to a predetermined maximum plastic deformation.

In the target position, the curvature limiting device 82 extendssubstantially horizontally at the seabed 14 and curves upwards, to apoint 86 where the curvature limiting device 82 and the pipeline 10extend substantially vertically. Here, the first coupling device 42 isprovided. A connecting organ 28 connects the first coupling device 42 tothe anchoring device 26. The connecting organ 28 may be a cable or achain or a rod.

An anchoring coupling device 48 is provided for coupling the connectingorgan 28 with the anchoring device 26.

FIGS. 7 a-7 e show a method of installing the connecting organ 28 ofFIG. 6. Prior to step 1, the curvature limiting device 82 has beenfitted around the pipeline 10 at the pipeline laying vessel 40. Also,the first coupling device 42 is installed at the pipeline laying vessel40.

In step I, the pipeline laying vessel 40 supports the delivery end 36 ofthe pipeline 10 at a certain depth. It is generally not necessary tofully lay down the pipeline 10 on the seabed 14. The pipeline layingvessel 40 subsequently moves in the direction of arrow 58, therebypositioning the riser section 16 substantially upright.

In step II, the coupling device is positioned directly above theanchoring device, and the pipeline adopts its target position and form.In step IV, the rod 28 is provided between the first coupling device andthe anchoring device 26.

In step V, a buoyancy device 20 is connected to the delivery end 36. TheA&R device 54 may then be disconnected from the delivery end 36. As inthe embodiment of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the buoyancy device 20 may also beconnected to the pipeline when the delivery end 36 is supported at thewater surface 4 by the pipeline laying vessel 40.

Turning to FIGS. 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d 1-8 d 3 and 8 e 1-8 e 4, anembodiment is shown wherein a pipeline shaping device 65 is providedwhich is configured to provide a curvature of the pipeline which isrelatively large, thereby elastically deforming the pipeline 10. Thepipeline shaping device 65 defines a curved target trajectory of thepipeline 10, which substantially forms a quarter of a circle.

A typical radius of the curved trajectory is at least 300 times theexternal diameter 71 of the pipeline 10. This implies that theconnecting device 27 may have a length 92 and height 94 in the order of50 to 100 meter, depending on the diameter of the pipeline 10.

The pipeline shaping device 65 has a contact surface in the form of asubstantial U-shape, defined by ridges 68 a, 68 b for supporting thepipeline 10 in a lateral direction. A first end 88 of the pipelineshaping device 65 extends substantially horizontally, and a second end89 extends substantially vertically

The pipeline shaping device 65 is anchored to the seabed 14 at least twoanchoring points 26 a, 26 b.

In FIGS. 8 d 1-8 d 3, 8 e 1-8 e 4, a method of installing the pipeline10 of FIGS. 8 a, 8 b and 8 c is shown. In a first step I, the pipelineshaping device 65 is connected to anchoring device 26 a, 26 b providedat the seabed 14. In a subsequent step II, the pipeline 10 is laid bythe pipeline laying vessel 40, or by an auxiliary vessel. In step III,the pipeline 10 is positioned underneath the pipeline shaping device 65,which may require a lateral movement. This lateral movement may beperformed by moving the pipeline laying vessel 40 sideways,perpendicularly to a vertical plane in which the pipeline 10 extends.

In step IV, the pipeline laying vessel is disconnected from the pipeline10. This step may be optional. In steps V and VI, the pipeline layingvessel 40 moves the delivery end 36 upward, by decreasing the length ofthe A&R-device 54. At the same time the pipeline laying vessel moves inthe direction of arrow 58.

In step VII, the pipeline laying vessel 40 is positioned substantiallyabove the connecting device 27, and the pipeline 10 has adopted ittarget position. The pipeline 10 engages the contact surface 66 of thepipeline shaping device 65, and the pipeline 65 is bent substantially inthe form of a quarter circle, such that a curved section 15 is formedbetween a seabed section 12 and a substantially vertical section 17. Alock device 78 may be provided to secure the pipeline 10 in an engagingposition with the pipeline shaping device 65. A flexible connectingpipeline 34 may be connected after installation of the buoyancy device20. It is also possible to connect the flexible connecting pipeline 34to the buoyancy device above the water surface 4 and subsequentlyconnect the buoyancy device with the flexible connecting pipeline 34 tothe delivery end 36.

Turning to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, an embodiment of a curvature limitingdevice is shown, having a thick walled pipe section 96 comprisingtapered transition sections 98. The thick walled pipe section 96 isconfigured to function as a curvature limiting device 82, and ensures aminimum value of the curvature radius 32, as can be seen in FIG. 9 b.The curvature limiting device 82 comprises a pipeline part 96 having awall thickness which is at least in part greater than a wall thicknessof the pipeline 10.

Turning to FIG. 10, an embodiment of the invention is shown wherein aplurality of pipelines 10 extend between a seabed 14 and theirrespective delivery ends 36 near the water surface 4. Each delivery end36 is connected to the target device by a respective connecting pipeline34.

The target device 2 is anchored to the seabed 14 by mooring lines 100.The mooring lines 100 may be grouped together in respective groups 101a, 101 b. The mooring lines 100 support the target device 2 in ahorizontal direction and substantially fix the position of the targetdevice 2.

Several groups of mooring lines 101 a, 101 b may extend between theseabed 14 and the target device 2, leaving only a relatively narrowcorridor of space available for the pipelines 10 to extend from theseabed 14 to a required position near the water surface 4.

If the pipeline 10 is connected to the seabed 14 according to any of theembodiments disclosed hereinabove, the delivery ends 36 of the pipelines10 may move relative to one another under the influence of watercurrents or due to forces exerted on the delivery ends 36 by theflexible connecting pipelines 34. In such a case, there may be a riskthat the pipelines 10 hit one another. There may also be a risk of apipeline 10 hitting a mooring line 100.

In order to reduce the movements of the pipelines 10, an inter-pipelineconnecting device 102 between a first and a second pipeline 10, inparticular between the respective delivery ends 36 thereof, may beprovided. The inter-pipeline connecting device 102 may also be connectedto the pipelines 10 at a point below the delivery end. Theinter-pipeline connecting device 102 can be a line or a cable having asubstantial mass, which pulls a first and a second delivery end 36toward one another over a distance 204. A pre-stress is thus provided onthe inter-pipeline connecting device 102, which is dependent on thelateral movement of the respective buoyancy devices. If the buoyancydevices 20 move toward one another, the pulling force decreases, and ifthe buoyancy devices 20 move away from one another, the pulling forceincreases. In this way, an equilibrium will be attained.

The inter-pipeline connecting device 102 may be provided in combinationwith any of the connecting devices 27 disclosed hereinabove. The resultof the inter-pipeline connecting device 102 is that the total horizontalstiffness of the pipeline device 122 is increased and that thehorizontal movements of the delivery ends 36 are substantially reduced.This reduces the risk of collision of the pipelines 10 with one anotherand with the mooring lines 100.

A plurality of delivery ends 36 may be interconnected by respectiveinter-pipeline connecting devices 102, for instance in a closed loopformation comprising three or more delivery ends 36.

Turning to FIGS. 11 a, 11 b, 11 c and 11 d, it is also possible that asubstantially rigid connecting device 103 is provided. The rigidconnecting device 103 may be a horizontal beam or rod or have adifferent configuration. The inter-pipeline connecting device 103 may besubstantially rigidly connected to the first and second pipeline (10).Each buoyancy device 20 may support one end of the rigid connectingdevice 103 by a respective console 104.

The pipeline 10 may extend through the buoyancy device 20, which mayhave the form of a cylinder. Connectors 108 may be provided between eachpipeline 10 and a connecting pipeline 34, the connectors 108 havingopposite ends 109,111 which project substantially downwards. Theconnecting pipeline 34 is suspended from the end 109.

One or more additional pipelines 10 may be suspended from the rigidconnecting device 103. This additional pipeline 10 may also be anchoredto the seabed 14 by a connecting device 27. It is also possible toconnect other lines, such as one or more umbilicals or a flexible riser106 to the rigid connecting device 103. In this case, the total buoyancyof the respective buoyancy devices 20 should be sufficient forsupporting all the pipelines which are suspended from the support device19. Extra buoyancy may be provided at the installation of the buoyancydevice 20 or at later instant, for instance when the rigid connectingdevice 103 is installed or when a flexible riser 106 or umbilical issuspended from the rigid connecting device 20.

In FIGS. 11 c and 11 d a support device 19 is shown wherein additionalbuoyancy devices 21 are provided, which are connected to the rigidconnecting device 103 by respective connection means 110, in the form ofa chain, wire or tendon. The additional buoyancy devices 21 have acylindrical form, extending substantially upright. Other forms of thebuoyancy device 21 are also possible.

In FIG. 11 d it is shown that the rigid connecting device 103 may beanchored to the seabed 14 by anchoring lines 112, which are eachconnected to an anchoring means 113. This provides additional stiffnessto the pipeline assembly 1 and further reduces horizontal and verticalmovements of the pipeline assembly.

FIGS. 12 a, 12 b show an embodiment of the invention, wherein thepipeline 10 is provided with a series of buoyancy devices 114 a . . .114 f at a certain depth. Such a configuration is known in the field ofthe art as a lazy wave. The pipeline 10 extends at an angle α to avertical axis 73, wherein the angle α first decreases from the couplingpoint 30 in an upward direction along a part of the pipeline 10 until afirst turning point 144, then increases until a second turning point 145and then decreases again until the target device coupling point 118. Thelazy wave may be provided at a relatively large depth, known as a lowlazy wave, or at a relatively small depth.

The pipeline assembly 1 is connected to the seabed 14 with a connectingdevice 27 as described hereinabove. The connecting device 27 maycomprise a coupling device 42 and a connecting organ 27, but may alsocomprise a pipeline shaping device 65 for plastically bending thepipeline 10, as shown in FIG. 12 b or a curvature limiting device 82(not shown). It is also possible to provide a pipeline shaping device 65for elastically bending the pipeline 10 (not shown).

FIG. 13 shows a pipeline assembly 1 comprising a buoyancy device 20anchored to the seabed 14 by two anchoring means 113 and two associatedtendons 112. A connecting device 27 comprising a coupling device 42 anda connecting organ 28 is connected at a coupling point 30 to thepipeline 10. Movements of the delivery end 36 are thus substantiallyreduced, and movements of the curved section 15 are also substantiallyreduced.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of the pipeline assembly 1 comprising apipeline 10 which is coupled to the target device 2 by a target devicecoupling means 116. Two similar pipeline assemblies 1 are shown, eachconnected to a common target device 2. The target device coupling means116 couples the delivery end 36 of the pipeline assembly to the targetdevice 2, ensuring that the delivery end 36 moves together with thetarget device 2 in case of horizontal movements of the target device 2.The target device coupling means 116 allows a limited vertical movementof the delivery end 36 relative to the target device 2.

The target devices 2 can be a semi-submersible, a TLP, a barge or aspread or turret moored FPSO. The target device 2 may also be positionedby dynamic positioning.

The delivery end 36 may be positioned closer to the target device 2,allowing a shorter connecting pipeline 34.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the invention comprising a pipeline 1having a delivery end 36 which is connected directly to the targetdevice 2. The target device 2 itself provides the buoyancy forsupporting the delivery end 36. The anchoring of the pipeline 10according to the invention will reduce the fatigue at the touch-downpoint 18 with the seabed. The target device 2 is moored to the seabed bymooring lines 100.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that this embodiment isparticularly suitable in conditions wherein the target device has alimited heave motion, such as in areas having nice weather and onlysmall waves, and for a target device having a restricted heave motion,such as a Tension Leg Platform and a Spar.

FIGS. 16 a and 16 b show a support device 19 comprising a buoyancydevice 20. The delivery end 36 of the pipeline 10 ends at a distance 127below the buoyancy device 20. The flexible connecting pipeline isconnected to the delivery end 36 under the buoyancy device 20. Aconnector 128 having a substantially arcuate form connects the deliveryend 36 with the connecting pipeline 34 for providing a fluid connectiontherebetween. The connector 128 has a first end 130 which is orientedsubstantially vertically in a downward direction 143, to which first end130 the delivery end 36 is connected. The connector 128 has a second end132 which is also oriented in a substantially downward direction 136.The direction 136 may also have a horizontal component 141. The buoyancydevice 20 is connected to the delivery end 36 of the connector 128 by abuoyancy connecting device 126, and positioned above the delivery end36.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that numerous changesin the details and the arrangement of the parts may be varied overconsiderable range without departing from the spirit of the inventionand the scope of the claims.

1-62. (canceled)
 63. A pipeline assembly comprising: a pipeline which issubstantially rigid, the pipeline extending partly on a seabed, thepipeline comprising a curved section curving upwardly from the seabed tothe delivery end near the water surface, the pipeline extending to adelivery end of the pipeline provided near a water surface in the formof a catenary riser having a substantial J-shape; at least one anchoringdevice provided at the seabed; at least one elongate connecting organconnecting a coupling point on the pipeline with the at least oneanchoring device, the elongate connecting organ being configured forsubstantially limiting an upward movement of the coupling point; asupport device coupled to the pipeline at the delivery end, whereineither: a) the pipeline assembly comprises a mating part connected tothe anchoring device, said mating part configured to establish acoupling with a first end of the elongate organ when said first end isengaged against said mating part, or b) the first end of the elongateconnecting organ is connected to the anchoring device and the pipelineassembly comprises a mating part connected to an opposite second end ofthe elongate organ, said mating part configured to establish a couplingwith the pipeline when the coupling point of the pipeline is engagedagainst said mating part.
 64. The pipeline assembly of claim 63, whereinat the coupling point a longitudinal axis of the pipeline extends at anangle of less than ten degrees, in particular less than five degrees, toa vertical axis.
 65. The pipeline assembly of claim 63, wherein theelongate connecting organ extends at an angle of less than ten degrees,in particular less than five degrees to a vertical axis.
 66. Thepipeline assembly of claim 63, wherein the elongate connecting organ isselecting from the group comprising a tether, a tendon, a cable, a line,and a chain.
 67. The pipeline assembly of claim 63, comprising: in suba) a hook or a ballgrab connector which is connected to the first end ofthe elongate connecting organ, and wherein the mating part of theanchoring device comprises an eye or a receptacle for a ballgrabconnector, and wherein the hook or ballgrab connector is coupled to theeye or the receptacle, and in sub b) a hook is provided at the couplingpoint and the mating part at the second opposite end of the elongateconnecting organ comprises an eye, and wherein the hook is coupled tothe eye.
 68. The pipeline assembly of claim 63, wherein the supportdevice comprises a buoyancy device, and wherein the buoyancy of thebuoyancy device is controllably variable.
 69. The pipeline assembly ofclaim 63, wherein in sub b) the mating part which is connected to theopposite second end of the elongate organ is configured to be laid onthe seabed in a substantially open position, and is configured to couplesubstantially automatically to the pipeline by a downward force of thepipeline when the pipeline is laid on top of the mating part.
 70. Thepipeline assembly of claim 69, wherein in sub b) the mating partcomprises a clamp comprising two or more gripping parts, which aremovable relative to one another and substantially grip the pipeline. 71.The pipeline assembly of claim 69, wherein in sub b) a collar orprotrusion is connected to the pipeline at the coupling point, whereinthe pipeline and the mating part are configured such that the pipelinecan slide through the mating part until the collar or protrusion engagesthe mating part.
 72. A pipeline device comprising: a first pipelineassembly and a second pipeline assembly connected to one another at asubstantial distance above the seabed by an inter-pipeline connectingdevice, wherein the first pipeline assembly and the second pipelineassembly each comprise: a pipeline which is substantially rigid, thepipeline extending partly on a seabed, the pipeline comprising a curvedsection curving upwardly from the seabed to the delivery end near thewater surface, the pipeline extending to a delivery end of the pipelineprovided near a water surface in the form of a catenary riser having asubstantial J-shape; at least one anchoring device provided at theseabed; at least one elongate connecting organ connecting a couplingpoint on the pipeline with the at least one anchoring device, theelongate connecting organ being configured for substantially limiting anupward movement of the coupling point; a support device coupled to thepipeline at the delivery end, wherein either: a) the pipeline assemblycomprises a mating part connected to the anchoring device, said matingpart configured to establish a coupling with a first end of the elongateorgan when said end is engaged against said mating part, or b) one endof the elongate connecting organ is connected to the anchoring deviceand the pipeline assembly comprises a mating part connected to theopposite, second end of the elongate organ, said mating part configuredto establish a coupling with the pipeline when the coupling point of thepipeline is engaged against said mating part; wherein the first andsecond pipeline assemblies are manufactured by the method of a) laying apipeline at least partly on a seabed by a pipeline laying vessel, thepipeline being substantially rigid, the pipeline comprising a curvedsection which curves upwardly from the seabed, the pipeline extending toa delivery end of the pipeline which is supported by the pipeline layingvessel; b) providing at least one anchoring device at the seabed; c)connecting the pipeline at a coupling point to the at least oneanchoring device by at least one elongate connecting organ after theanchoring device is provided at the seabed, by performing either stepc1) or c2), step c1) comprising: coupling one end of the elongateconnecting organ to the pipeline at the coupling point when the couplingpoint is near the pipeline laying vessel, lowering the pipeline with thecoupling point and the elongate connecting organ such that the oppositeend of the elongate connecting organ is moved to the anchoring device bymaneuvering the pipeline with the pipeline laying vessel; and couplingthe opposite end of the elongate connecting organ with the anchoringdevice at the seabed by engaging the opposite end against a mating partof the anchoring device; step c2) comprising: coupling one end of theelongate connecting organ to the anchoring device and laying theelongate connecting organ on the seabed, the opposite end of theelongate connecting organ being provided with a mating part which isalso laid on the seabed, moving the coupling point on the pipeline tothe mating part on the seabed by maneuvering the pipeline with thepipeline laying vessel, coupling the coupling point to the mating parton the seabed, and moving the coupling point upward by maneuvering thepipeline with the pipeline laying vessel, thereby lifting the elongateorgan from the seabed; wherein the at least one elongate connectingorgan is configured for substantially limiting an upward movement of thecoupling point, d) positioning the delivery end at a delivery end targetposition; e) supporting the delivery end by a support device, and f)disconnecting the pipeline from the pipeline laying vessel.
 73. Thepipeline assembly of claim 63, wherein the angle between a longitudinalaxis of the pipeline and a vertical axis decreases when viewed along thepipeline from a touch down point to the coupling point.
 74. The pipelineassembly of claim 63, wherein the coupling point is positioned at300-900 meter above the seabed.
 75. The pipeline assembly of claim 63,wherein the coupling point is positioned at 600-800 meter above theseabed.